Scalp massaging and hair detangling hair brush

ABSTRACT

A hair brush may include a body having a first end including a brush head and a second end. A first set of bristles is disposed on a first side of the brush head. A second set of bristles, different than the first set of bristles, is located between the first set of bristles and a perimeter of the brush head.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure relates generally to a hair brush having a plurality ofbristles for both detangling hair and massaging the scalp, and moreparticularly, to a hair brush having a first set of bristles disposed ona perimeter of the hair brush for detangling hair and a second set ofbristles disposed near a center of the hair brush for massaging thescalp.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Hair brushes having massaging capabilities and hair brushes havingmultiple bristles configurations are generally known in the art. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 4,161,050 discloses a hair brush having bristleswith various lengths designed to improve the brushing effect and toenable a massaging action. More specifically, the hair bush includeslonger bristles having substantially spherical ends for massaging thescalp, and shorter bristles for brushing the strands of hair.

In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,892 discloses a brush for use onthe hair and body, having a wooden base and a concavity therein. Thebrush further includes an elastic bristles base having many orifices forplanting wooden bristles. As such, with the wooden bristles the brushmay be used not only for brushing strands of hair, but also formassaging the skin. In a further example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,892disclosed a travel massage brush having a vibratory head pivotallyconnected to a handle. The vibratory head is electric powered, and morespecifically, is battery operated and includes a vibratory motionimparter that creates the massaging motion.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a first end of a hairbrush body includes a head having a first side, a second side, and aperimeter. A first set of bristles is disposed on the first side of thehead, and a second set of bristles that is more forgiving than the firstset of bristles, is disposed between the first set of bristles and theperimeter of the brush head.

In accordance with another aspect, a hair brush having a head on a firstend of a body, including a first side, a second side, and a perimeter isdisclosed. A plurality of first and second bristles are disposed on thefirst side of the brush head, and at least one of the plurality ofsecond bristles is disposed between the plurality of first bristles andthe perimeter of the brush head. The first bristles are stiffer than thesecond bristles.

In accordance with a further aspect, a hair brush having a handle at asecond end of a body and a head having an inner portion and an outerportion at a first end of the body is disclosed. A plurality of firstbristles is disposed near the inner portion of the brush head, and aplurality of second bristles is disposed near the outer portion of thebrush head. The first bristles are stiffer that the second bristles.

In accordance with an additional aspect, a hair brush having a headincluding a receiving portion at a first end of the body is disclosed. Acushion pad is disposed in the receiving portion, and has a convexcross-sectional shape. A plurality of first bristles is disposed near anupper portion of the convex cushion pad, and a plurality of secondbristles is disposed near a lower portion of the convex cushion pad.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon readingthe following description in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of one embodiment of a hair brush having afirst set of bristles and a second set of bristles;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view the hair brush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view along line 3-3 of the hair brush ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a bristle from the second set of bristles ofthe hair brush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a bristle from the first set of bristles of thehair brush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the hair brush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a hair brushhaving a first set of bristles and a second set of bristles;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a further alternative embodiment of a hairbrush having a first set of bristles and a second set of bristles; and

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a still further embodiment of a hair brushhaving a first set of bristles and a second set of bristles.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments thereof havebeen shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit theinvention to the specific forms disclosed, but, on the contrary, theintention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, andequivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure andthe appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, and with specific reference initially toFIG. 1, a hair brush 20 includes a body 22, a cushion pad 24, a firstset of bristles 26, and a second set of bristles 28. The hair brush 20,as depicted in FIG. 1, is only one exemplary type of hair brush 20 and,more particularly, one exemplary type of hair brush head that may beused in conjunction with the present disclosure. The hair brush 20 andthe cushion pad 24 are, therefore, not limited to the disclosedembodiment as depicted in FIG. 1.

The hair brush 20, as disclosed herein, is intended to enable the userto both brush/detangle strands of hair and to massage the scalp. Morespecifically, the first and second set of bristles 26, 28 of the hairbrush 20 are constructed and/or arranged relative to each other toenable the user to both brush strands of hair and to massage the scalpduring a single stroke of the hair brush 20.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the body 22includes a first end 30 and a second end 32. The body 22 may beconstructed from a plastic material, or alternatively may be constructedfrom a metal material, wood, rubber, and/or a combination thereof. Ahandle 34 is disposed near the first end 30 of the body 22, and a head35 having a receiving portion 36 is disposed near the second end 32 ofthe body 22. The handle 34 may be sized and shaped to ergonomically fitinto a user's hand, and the receiving portion 36 may include a cavity 38and a lip 40, as best seen in FIG. 2. More specifically, as seen inFIGS. 2 and 3, the cavity 38 may be disposed toward a center of thereceiving portion 36 and may be adapted to receive the cushion pad 24.The lip 40 may be disposed around a perimeter of the cavity 36, whichmay aid in retaining the cushion pad 24 in the cavity 38. The sizeand/or the shape of the cavity 38 may correspond to the size and/orshape of the cushion pad 24. As such, a perimeter of the cushion pad 24may be disposed near and/or under the lip 40, thereby enclosing thecavity 38 with the cushion pad 24. The cushion pad 24 may, however, beattached or connected to the cavity 36, receiving portion 36, and/or thehead 35 in many other ways, and as such, the disclosure is not limitedabove described embodiment.

The head 35 of the hair brush 20 includes a first or top side 37,including the receiving portion 38 and second or bottom side 41 locatedopposite the first side 37. The head 35 may have a variety of shapes,including but not limited to, generally oval, rectangular, square,round, or odd shaped, and includes a perimeter 39. More specifically, asseen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the perimeter 39 of the head 35 of the hair brush20 may be disposed at an outer edge of the head 35, and may be disposedbetween the outer edge of the head 35 and the receiving portion 36and/or the cushion pad 24. In those embodiments wherein the hair brush20 does not include the cushion pad 24 and/or the receiving portion 36,the perimeter of the head 35 may located at the outer edge of the head35, and/or may be located between the outer edge of the head 35 and thefirst bristles encountered from the outer edge of the head 35 goinginward.

The cushion pad 24, like the body 22 of the brush 20, may be constructedfrom a number of materials, including but not limited to, plastic,rubber, etc. The cushion pad 24 may include an upper surface 42 facingaway from the brush 20 and a lower surface 44 facing toward the cavity38. A plurality of apertures 46 may be disposed in the cushion pad 24for receiving the bristles of the first and/or second set of bristles26, 28. The apertures 46 may, therefore, vary in size or diameter toaccommodate both sets of bristles. The apertures 46 may be blind, butmay also fully penetrate the cushion pad 24 extending from the uppersurface 42 to the lower surface 44. Additionally and/or alternatively,the bristles 26, 28, may be attached or connected the cushion pad 24 inone or more various ways, as seen in FIG. 3.

Furthermore, the cushion pad 24 may have a dome or convex shape whendisposed in the cavity 38. As such, the bristles, whether from the firstor second set of bristles 26, 28, disposed near an upper portion and/orthe apex of the convex cushion pad 24, may be located a distance furtherfrom the head 35 of the brush 20 then the bristles disposed near a lowerportion and/or near the perimeter of the convex cushion pad 24. Thisdifference in height may also be accomplished by varying the length ofthe bristles 26, 28, such as for example, lengthening the first set ofbristles 26 relative to the second set of bristles 28.

The first set of bristles 26 (FIG. 5) may include a first or free end 48adapted to massage the user's scalp during use, and a second orattachment end 50 adapted to engage and/or attach to the cushion pad 24.The first set of bristles 26 may be constructed from a plastic material,but may be constructed from a metal material, wood, and/or a combinationthereof. The first set of bristles 26 may further include a spherical,semi-spherical, or substantially round tip 52 disposed at the free end48. Furthermore, the first set of bristles 26, as seen in FIG. 5, mayalso be defined using several qualities, including a first height, afirst thickness, and a first stiffness.

Similar to the first set of bristles 26, the second set of bristles 28(FIG. 4) may include a first or free end 54 adapted to brush/detanglethe user's strands of hair during use, and a second or attachment end 56adapted to engage and/or attach to the cushion pad 24. The second set ofbristles 28 may be constructed from a plastic material, but may beconstructed from a metal material, wood, and/or a combination thereof.The second set of bristles 28 may further include a spherical,semi-spherical, or substantially round tip 58 disposed at the free end54. Furthermore, the second set of bristles 28, as seen in FIG. 4, mayalso be defined using several qualities, including a second height, asecond thickness, and a second stiffness.

In one exemplary embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 6, the second end 32of the body 22 may include the cushion pad 24 and have a generally ovalshape. The first and second set of bristles 26, 28, in this embodiment,may be arranged and/or disposed relative to each other such that thesecond set of bristles 28 are located between the first set of bristles26 and the perimeter 36 of the brush head 35. Alternatively and/oradditionally, the first set of bristles 26 may be disposed to the centerof the head 35 of the brush 20, and the second set of bristles 28 may bedisposed around the first set of bristles 26 or near the perimeter ofthe cushion pad 24. The first set of bristles 26, in this embodiment,may be adapted to massage the scalp, as opposed to the second set ofbristles 28, which may be adapted to brush/detangle the strands of hair.As such, the first set of bristles 26 may differ from the second set ofbristles 28, in that the first set of bristles 26 may be larger,stiffer, longer, harder, and/or wider than the second set of bristles28.

In another exemplary embodiment, as seen in FIG. 7, the second end 32 ofthe body 22 may include vent apertures 60 for allowing air, and morespecifically, hot hair (i.e. from a hair dryer) to penetrate the hairbrush 20 to better effectuating the drying and/or styling of the hair.The vent apertures 60 may have a generally rectangular shape, as seen inFIG. 7, but may have any shape, including but not limited to, round,square, oval, odd, etc. The first and second set of bristles 26, 28, inthis embodiment, may be arranged and/or disposed relative to each othersuch that the second set of bristles 28 are located between the firstset of bristles 26 and the perimeter 36 of the brush head 35.Alternatively and/or additionally, the first set of bristles 26 may bedisposed to the center of the head 35 of the brush 20, and the secondset of bristles 28 may be disposed around the first set of bristles 26.The first set of bristles 26, in this embodiment, may be adapted tomassage the scalp, as opposed to the second set of bristles 28, whichmay be adapted to brush/detangle the strands of hair. As such, the firstset of bristles 26 may differ from the second set of bristles 28, inthat the first set of bristles 26 may be larger, stiffer, longer,harder, and/or wider that the second set of bristles 28.

In another exemplary embodiment, as seen in FIG. 8, the second end 32 ofthe body 22 may include the cushion pad 24 and have a generally ovalshape. The first and second set of bristles 26, 28, in this embodiment,may be arranged and/or disposed relative to each other such that atleast a portion of the second set of bristles 28 is located between thefirst set of bristles 26 and the perimeter 36 of the brush head 35.Alternatively and/or additionally, the first set of bristles 26 may bedisposed to the center of the head 35 of the brush 20, and at least aportion of the second set of bristles 28 may be disposed around thefirst set of bristles 26 or near the perimeter of the cushion pad 24.The first set of bristles 26, in this embodiment, may be adapted tomassage the scalp as opposed to the second set of bristles 28, which maybe adapted to brush/detangle the strands of hair. As such, the first setof bristles 26 may differ from the second set of bristles 28, in thatthe first set of bristles 26 may be larger, stiffer, longer, harder,and/or wider that the second set of bristles 28.

In another exemplary embodiment, as seen in FIG. 9, the second end 32 ofthe body 22 may include the cushion pad 24 and have a generally roundshape. The first and second set of bristles 26, 28, in this embodiment,may be arranged and/or disposed relative to each other such that thesecond set of bristles 28 are located between the first set of bristles26 and the perimeter 36 of the brush head 35. Alternatively and/oradditionally, the first set of bristles 26 may be disposed to the centerof the head 35 of the brush 20, and the second set of bristles 28 may bedisposed around the first set of bristles 26 or near the perimeter ofthe cushion pad 24. The first set of bristles 26, in this embodiment,may be adapted to massage the scalp, as opposed to the second set ofbristles 28, which may be adapted to brush/detangle the strands of hair.As such, the first set of bristles 26 may differ from the second set ofbristles 28, in that the first set of bristles 26 may be larger,stiffer, longer, harder, and/or wider that the second set of bristles28.

The disclosure is, however, not limited to the above exemplaryembodiments, nor is the disclosure limited to the combination ofcomponents of the above exemplary embodiments. For example, whether thehead 35 of the brush 20 is round, square, rectangular, or any othershape, the hair brush 20 may include a cushion pad 24. Similarly, thehair brush 20 may not include the cushion pad 24 when the head 35 has anoval or round shape. Similarly, the shape created by the first set ofbristles 26 and the shape created by the second set of bristles 28 maycorrespond to each other, or alternatively may be independent of eachother. For example, as seen in FIG. 6, the hair brush 20 as an ovalshaped brush head 35, the first set of bristles 26 create an oval shape(outlined by the phantom line), and the second set of bristles 28 createan oval shape. Similarly, as seen in FIG. 7, the hair brush 20 as arectangular shaped brush head 35, the first set of bristles 26 create arectangular shape (outlined by the phantom line), and the second set ofbristles 28 create an oval shape, and as seen in FIG. 9, the hair brush20 as a round shaped brush head 35, the first set of bristles 26 createa star shape (outlined by the phantom line), and the second set ofbristles 28 create a round shape. The shape crated by the first set ofbristles 26 may, therefore, be round, square, rectangular, or odd shapedregardless of the shape of the second set of bristles 28, and/or thebrush head 35.

In operation, a user may brush/detangle strands of hair, and massage thescalp in a single stroke of the hair brush 20. More specifically, due tothe relative location of the first and second set of bristles 26 and 28on the hair brush 20, the user is insured that both the strands of hairget brushes/detangled, and that the scalp gets massaged. The second setof bristles 28 will encounter the strands of hair first, therebybrushing/detangling the strands of hair. Next, the first set of bristles26 will encounter the scalp, thereby massaging the scalp. Finally, thesecond set of bristles 28 will again encounter the strands of hairfirst, thereby completing the brushing/detangling of the strands ofhair.

While the above has been described with reference to specific exampleswhich are intended to be illustrative only and not to be limiting of theinvention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artthat changes, additions or deletions may be made to the disclosedembodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A hair brush for brushing hair and scalp massaging, comprising: abody having a first end and a second end; a brush head disposed near thefirst end of the body, the brush head including a first side, a secondside, and a perimeter; a first set of bristles disposed on the firstside of the head; and a second set of bristles, having more forgivenessthan the first set of bristles, disposed on the first side of the head,wherein the second set of bristles are located between the first set ofbristles and the perimeter of the brush head.
 2. The hair brush of claim1, wherein a handle is disposed near the second end of the body.
 3. Thehair brush of claim 1, wherein the first set of bristles is wider thanthe second set of bristles.
 4. The hair brush of claim 1, wherein thefirst set of bristles is longer than the second set of bristles.
 5. Thehair brush of claim 1, wherein the first set of bristles is stiffer thanthe second set of bristles.
 6. The hair brush of claim 1, wherein thefirst set of bristles is harder than the second set of bristles.
 7. Thehair brush of claim 1, wherein the first set of bristles is larger thanthe second set of bristles.
 8. The hair brush of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the sets of bristles has generally spherical ends.
 9. Thehair brush of claim 1, wherein the head of the brush includes a cushionpad.
 10. The hair brush of claim 1, wherein the head of the brushincludes apertures.
 11. The hair brush of claim 1, wherein the head ofthe brush includes apertures.
 12. The hair brush of claim 1, wherein thesecond set of bristles completely encircle the first set of bristles.13. The hairbrush of claim 1, wherein the second set of bristlespartially encircle the first set of bristles.
 14. The hair brush ofclaim 1, wherein the first set of bristles and the second set ofbristles have corresponding shapes.
 15. The hair brush of claim 1,wherein the brush head, the first set of bristles and the second set ofbristles have corresponding shapes.
 16. A hair brush for brushing hairand scalp massaging, comprising: a body having a first end and a secondend; a brush head disposed near the first end of the body, the brushhead including a first side, and a second side, and the brush headhaving a perimeter; a plurality of first bristles disposed on the firstside of the head, the first set of bristles having a first stiffness;and a plurality of second bristles, disposed on the first side of thehead, the plurality of second bristles having a second stiffness,wherein at least one of the plurality of second bristles is disposedbetween the plurality of first bristles and the perimeter of the brushhead, and wherein the first bristles are stiffer that the secondbristles.
 17. The hair brush of claim 16, wherein a handle is disposednear the second end of the body.
 18. The hair brush of claim 16, whereinthe second set of bristles completely encircle the first set ofbristles.
 19. The hair brush of claim 16, wherein the first set ofbristles and the second set of bristles have corresponding shapes. 20.The hair brush of claim 16, wherein the brush head, the first set ofbristles and the second set of bristles have corresponding shapes. 21.The hair brush of claim 16, wherein the first set of bristles is widerthan the second set of bristles.
 22. The hair brush of claim 16, whereinthe first set of bristles is longer than the second set of bristles. 23.The hair brush of claim 16, wherein the first set of bristles is harderthan the second set of bristles.
 24. The hair brush of claim 16, whereinthe first set of bristles is larger than the second set of bristles. 25.The hair brush of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first and secondplurality of bristles has generally spherical ends.
 26. The hair brushof claim 16, wherein the head of the brush includes a cushion pad. 27.The hair brush of claim 16, wherein the head of the brush includesapertures.
 28. A hair brush for brushing hair and scalp massaging,comprising: a body having a first end and a second end; a handledisposed near the second end of the body; a brush head disposed near thefirst end of the body, the brush head having an inner portion and anouter portion; a plurality of first bristles disposed near the innerportion of the brush head; and a plurality of second bristles, disposednear the outer portion of the brush head, wherein the first bristles arestiffer than the second bristles.
 29. A hair brush for brushing hair andscalp massaging, comprising: a body having a first end and a second end;a brush head disposed near the first end of the body, the brush headhaving a receiving portions; a cushion pad disposed in the receivingportion, the cushion pad having a convex cross-sectional shape; aplurality of first bristles disposed near an upper portion of the convexcushion pad; and a plurality of second bristles, disposed near a lowerportion of the convex cushion pad.
 30. The hair brush of claim 29,wherein a handle is disposed near the second end of the body.
 31. Thehair brush of claim 29, wherein the first set of bristles is wider thanthe second set of bristles.
 32. The hair brush of claim 29, wherein thefirst set of bristles is longer than the second set of bristles.
 33. Thehair brush of claim 29, wherein the first set of bristles is stifferthan the second set of bristles.
 34. The hair brush of claim 29, whereinthe first set of bristles is harder than the second set of bristles. 35.The hair brush of claim 29, wherein the first set of bristles is largerthan the second set of bristles.